406 



slight damage compared with previous seasons. Tctranvchus bimacii- 

 lafiis, Harv. (the two-spotted red spider) damaged some dewberries ; 

 spraying with atomic sulphur proved unsatisfactory. Borers were 

 reported working in the trunks of olive trees, and on examination it 

 was thought they were a new species of Phycitid. Leaf-cutting bees 

 seriously damaged apricots and plums. 



A weevil, Sphcnopliorits phoenicicnsis, is reported as damaging barley. 

 Milo maize seed, while germinating in the ground, was considerably 

 damaged by Solenopsis geminata var. xyloni, McCook (fire ant). The 

 seed should be soaked in coal oil for at least half-hour to protect it. 

 A new pest of this crop has been identified as a leaf-cutting ant, Atta 

 {Moelleyius) versicolor, Perg. 



The corn-stalk borer previously recorded as Diairaca zeacolcUa, Dyar 

 [R.A.E., A, v. 316; vii, 205] has finally been determined to 'be 

 Diatraea lineolaia, Walk. 



Considerable damage to fields and lucerne crops was caused by the 

 cutworm, Lycophotia margaritosa, Haw. {saucia, Hb.), but it was 

 destroyed by poison baits. Fcltia annexa, Tr. (granulated cutworm) 

 was also killed with bran, Paris green and water, broadcasted over 

 lucerne fields. Heliothrips fasciatits, Perg. (bean thrips) was abundant 

 in lucerne fields. It usually attacks beans, and has been known to 

 destroy cotton. Lucerne infested before the middle of September 

 should be sprayed to prevent adjacent cotton fields from being 

 invaded. 



Vegetable crops were attacked by the usual pests. Pier is {Ponfia) 

 rapae, L., Plutella maculipennis, Curt., and Phytometra (Autographa) 

 hrassicae, Riley, all attacked cabbages, the latter being the most 

 common ; 41b. of lead arsenate powder to 50 U.S. gals, water, with a 

 small quantity of soap, proved a satisfactory spray. Melons were 

 considerably damaged by Diahrotica soror, Lee. (Western twelve- 

 spotted cucumber beetle). The larvae eat the roots, while the adults 

 destroy the leaves. An effective spray is 3 oz. lead arsenate to 

 2 U.S. gals, water, or 1 oz. lead arsenate to 1 U.S. gal. Bordeaux. 



Bean crops have been much damaged by the bean lad\'bird 

 [Epilachna corrnpta]. The spray recommended is 2-4 lb. powdered 

 lead arsenate to 50 U.S. gals, water, or powdered lead arsenate mixed 

 with sulphur can be used as a dust. Hand picking of the adults 

 has also proved satisfactory. 



New cotton pests of interest include : a scale, Phenacoccus cevaliae, 

 Ckll., Cicada cinctifera, previously recorded as a pest of fruit trees, 

 an unidentified wireworm, and a Tenebrionid beetle, Blapstimis 

 pimalis. The last-named has previously been recorded as a vegetable 

 pest [R.A.E., A, iii, 512], and should now be classed among the 

 occasionally destructive pests of cotton in Arizona. During the 

 latter part of April some young cotton plants were damaged by wire- 

 worms, but attempts to rear adults for identification were unsuccessful. 

 The most noteworthy cotton damage was caused by Cicada cinctifera. 

 The egg punctures on the branches destroyed the bolls. The only 

 remedy that can be suggested is knocking the insects into water 

 covered with a film, of coal oil. Aphis gossvpii (cotton or melon 

 aphis) was prevalent in April on young cotton plants, but Hymenop- 

 terous parasites had destroyed the pest by Ma}'. Late-planted cotton 

 suffered the most. Thrips arizoncnsis (cotton thrips) also damaged 

 young plants. The cotton bollworm [Anthonomus grandis] did not 

 cause excessive damage. Further information on Mvochrous longulus. 



